U.S. patent application number 12/138973 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-17 for container packer system and method.
Invention is credited to Chris D. Bartel, Gregory D. Haub.
Application Number | 20090311085 12/138973 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41414970 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090311085 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haub; Gregory D. ; et
al. |
December 17, 2009 |
CONTAINER PACKER SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A container packer system includes a transfer base, which
receives a container packer adapted for movement longitudinally
between retracted and extended positions with respect to the
transfer base. The transfer base includes a power subsystem with a
motor or engine driving an hydraulic pump for powering hydraulic
piston-and-cylinder units of the system, including a container
packer piston-and-cylinder unit for hydraulically extending and
retracting the container packer. The container packer generally
encloses an interior adapted for receiving bulk material for
transfer to a transport container, which can comprise a standard
shipping container, a trailer or some other bulk material
receptacle. The container packer includes a push blade assembly
longitudinally movably mounted in its interior and actuated by a
push blade piston-and-cylinder unit. A container packer method
includes the steps of loading the interior of the container packer
with bulk material in its retracted position on the transfer base,
locating a transport container in alignment and behind the transfer
base, hydraulically inserting part of the container packer into the
transport container, hydraulically emptying the container packer of
bulk material into the transport container with the push blade
assembly, retracting the push blade assembly within the container
packer and extracting the container packer onto the transfer
base.
Inventors: |
Haub; Gregory D.; (Douglas,
OK) ; Bartel; Chris D.; (Fairview, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF MARK BROWN, LLC
4700 BELLEVIEW SUITE 210
KANSAS CITY
MO
64112
US
|
Family ID: |
41414970 |
Appl. No.: |
12/138973 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/513 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B30B 9/3042 20130101;
B65F 9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/513 |
International
Class: |
B65F 3/14 20060101
B65F003/14 |
Claims
1. A system for packing bulk material in a container, which system
comprises: a transfer base including proximate and distal ends and
a container packer guide; a container packer including a proximate
end, a distal end with an opening, opposite sidewalls, a floor and
an interior; said container packer being movable longitudinally
along said container packer guide between a retracted position on
said transfer base and an extended position extending at least
partially from said transfer base distal end; a container packer
drive connected to said transfer base and said container packer and
adapted for moving said container packer between its extended and
retracted positions; a material transfer assembly mounted in said
container packer interior and adapted for discharging bulk material
through said container packer distal end opening; a material
transfer assembly drive connected to said material transfer
assembly and adapted for operating said material transfer assembly;
said material transfer assembly comprising a push blade assembly
located in and affixed to said container packer and movable
longitudinally between a retracted position in proximity to said
container packer proximate end and an extended position in
proximity to said container packer distal end; said push blade
assembly including a push blade extending transversely across said
container packer interior; said container packer drive comprising a
container packer piston-and-cylinder unit connected to said
transfer base proximate end and said container packer proximate
end; an hydraulic power source mounted on said transfer base and
connected to said container packer piston-and-cylinder unit; and
said material transfer assembly drive comprising a push blade
assembly piston-and-cylinder unit connected to said hydraulic power
source and adapted for extending and retracting said push blade
assembly between an extended position distally beyond said transfer
base distal end and a retracted position adjacent to said container
packer proximate end within said container packer interior, said
push blade assembly movement sequentially cooperating with said
container packer movement whereby said push blade assembly is
adapted for compacting bulk material in said container.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The container packer system according to claim 2, which
includes: said container packer having a pair of guide rails each
mounted on and extending horizontally along a respective sidewall
inside said enclosure; said push blade assembly including a
framework with rollers rollingly engaging said guide rails; and
said push blade assembly further including a generally vertical
blade mounted on said framework and extending generally
transversely across said container packer interior.
6. The container packer system according to claim 1, which
includes: said transfer base having a floor; said container packer
guide comprising said transfer base floor; and said container
packer including rollers mounted on said container packer floor and
adapted for rolling over said transfer base floor.
7. The container packer system according to claim 1, which
includes: a container selectively locatable in proximity to said
transfer base distal end and adapted for selectively receiving at
least a portion of said container packer with said container packer
in its extended position.
8. The container packer system according to claim 7 wherein said
container comprises a standard shipping container.
9. The container packer system according to claim 1 wherein said
transfer base comprises a trailer with a wheel truck connected to
its floor.
10. The container packer system according to claim 1 wherein: said
container packer includes a door mounted in said distal end
opening; and said door being movable between open and closed
positions respectively opening and closing said container packer
distal end opening.
11. The container packer system according to claim 10, which
includes: said container packer having a pair of door tracks each
extending along a respective side of said door opening and along a
respective container packer sidewall; said door being movably
mounted on said tracks; a pair of container packer door
piston-and-cylinder units each connected to a respective container
packer sidewall and to said container packer door; and said
container packer door piston-and-cylinder units operably moving
said door between its open and closed positions.
12. The container packer system according to claim 1 wherein said
material transfer assembly comprises multiple, powered moving slats
located in said container packer floor.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to handling waste
and other bulk materials, and in particular to a system and method
for packing a container with bulk material for transport.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Bulk materials of various types require transportation, e.g.
from their sources to destinations for disposal or processing.
Waste handling and other bulk material operations use a variety of
transportation modes, including over-the-road trucks and marine
vessels. Presently a large percentage of cargo is transported in
standardized shipping containers, which are generally approximately
10'.times.10'.times.20' (width.times.height.times.length).
Facilities are available for handling such containers, including
loading and unloading to and from trailers, railcars and marine
vessels. A bulk material operation would preferably utilize such
standard containers and load or pack them as efficiently as
possible in order to minimize the costs associated with procuring
and transporting the containers and conveyance vehicles. Certain
materials, such as scrap and refuse, are susceptible to compression
packing in order to minimize space requirements and thereby
increase efficiency.
[0005] The field of waste handling is a significant commercial
activity, encompassing scrap disposal refuse hauling, materials
recycling and demolition debris removal. Hazardous waste handling
involves extra precautions and regulations. Improving bulk material
handling and transporting equipment and procedures can
significantly improve the efficiency, safety and effectiveness of
waste handling operations. For example, common prior art waste
handling methods involved loading large trash containers, bins and
other receptacles using loaders, cranes and similar equipment.
[0006] Heretofore there has not been available a bulk material
handling system or method with the advantages and features of the
present invention, including a container packer for receiving the
material and transferring it to a container or other vessel for
transport.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, a
container packer system is provided with a transfer base, which
receives a container packer adapted for movement longitudinally
between retracted and extended positions with respect to the
transfer base. The transfer base includes a power subsystem with a
motor or engine driving an hydraulic pump for powering hydraulic
piston-and-cylinder units of the system, including a container
packer piston-and-cylinder unit for hydraulically extending and
retracting the container packer. The container packer generally
encloses an interior adapted for receiving bulk material for
transfer to a transport container, which can comprise a standard
shipping container, a trailer or some other bulk material
receptacle. The container packer includes a push blade assembly
longitudinally movably mounted in its interior and actuated by a
push blade piston-and-cylinder unit. In the practice of another
aspect of the present invention, a container packer method includes
the steps of loading the interior of the container packer with bulk
material in its retracted position on the transfer base, locating a
transport container in alignment and behind the transfer base,
hydraulically inserting part of the container packer into the
transport container, hydraulically emptying the container packer of
bulk material into the transport container with the push blade
assembly, retracting the push blade assembly within the container
packer and extracting the container packer onto the transfer
base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments and aspects of the present invention
and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a container packer
system embodying an aspect of the present invention, shown with a
container packer in a retracted position on a transfer base aligned
with a transport container.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, shown with the
container packer extended partly into the transport container.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of
the container packer.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the container packer.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, upper, front perspective view of
the container packer, with a blade assembly thereof in a retracted
position.
[0014] FIG. 6 a fragmentary, upper, front perspective view of the
container packer, with the blade assembly thereof in an extended
position.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, lower, back perspective view of the
container packer.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the container
packer taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a container packer comprising
an alternative aspect of the present invention, shown with a moving
floor.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, upper perspective view of a
container packer system comprising an alternative aspect of the
present invention, shown with the container packer extending partly
into a trailer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
I. Introduction and Environment
[0019] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0020] Certain terminology will be used in the following
description for convenience in reference only and will not be
limiting. For example, up, base, front, back, right and left refer
to the invention as oriented in the view being referred to. The
words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and
away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment
being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and
rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel,
if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words
specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar
meaning.
[0021] Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference
numeral 2 generally designates a container packer system embodying
an aspect of the present invention. The system 2 generally
comprises a transfer base 4 reciprocally and slidably mounting a
container packer 6. A transport container 8 receives bulk material
10 from the container packer 6.
II. Transfer Base 4
[0022] The transfer base 4 can comprise a vehicle, such as a
trailer, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the transfer base 4 can
be another type of vehicle or a permanent structure. The transfer
base 4 can be generally constructed as a flatbed trailer with a bed
12 mounting a wheel truck 14, a pair of adjustable-height main
jacks 16 and a king pin hitch 17 for connection to a tractor unit
(not shown). A pair of sidewalls 18 is mounted on either side of
the bed 12.
[0023] The transfer base 4 includes a power subsystem 20, which can
include an internal combustion engine, an hydraulic pump, an
hydraulic reservoir, an hydraulic control valve and other hydraulic
components, equipment, lines and fittings as needed. Alternatively,
other power sources can be utilized, such as pneumatic, electric,
combination hydraulic-pneumatic-electric, etc. External power
sources, e.g., electrical service, can be connected to the transfer
base 4 for powering its operations.
[0024] A front cylinder mount 26 is located in proximity to the
power subsystem 20, i.e. foreword on the transfer base 4, and
mounts a proximate end 28 of a multi-stage insertion/extraction
piston-and-cylinder unit 30, which also includes a distal end 32
connected to the container packer 6.
III. Container Packer 6
[0025] The container packer 6 includes: front and back ends 34, 36;
opposite sidewalls 38, 40 mounting rollers 41 for engaging the
transfer base sidewalls 18 and the transport container 8: and a
floor 42 mounting rollers 43 on which the container packer 6 rolls
fore-and-aft. A rolling, overhead door 44 is mounted generally in
and selectively closes a back opening 35, which is formed in the
back end 36 for selectively enclosing a container packer interior
46, which receives the bulk material 10. The door 44 is operated by
a door piston-and-cylinder unit 48. Alternatively, various other
types of doors and operating mechanisms can be utilized.
[0026] The container packer 6 includes a push blade assembly 50,
which includes a structural framework 52 mounting a push blade 54,
which fits relatively closely within the container packer interior
46 and extends transversely for movement fore-and-aft guided by
tracks 49 formed in the container packer sidewalls 38, 40 whereby
substantially all of the contents of the container packer 6 can be
discharged through the back door opening 35. The push blade
assembly 50 includes a framework 52 mounting a push blade 54
generally configured as a panel with width and height dimensions
generally corresponding to a cross-section of the container packer
interior 46. A push blade piston-and-cylinder 56 extends through
the framework 52 and the blade 54, to which the piston-and-cylinder
56 is attached in a trunion-type mounting 57. The
piston-and-cylinder unit 56 includes an extension 60, which extends
distally of the blade 54 with the piston-and-cylinder 56 in a
retracted position (FIG. 4). With this configuration a relatively
long effective stroke of the piston-and-cylinder 56 is available
for pushing the push blade assembly 50 through a substantial
portion of the container packer 6. An anchor structure 62 is
mounted on the container packer floor 42 adjacent to the container
packer back end 36 and is connected to the piston-and-cylinder
proximate end 58.
IV. Operation
[0027] In the practice of an aspect of the method of the present
invention, the operation of the system 2 is sequenced to transfer
bulk material 10 from the container packer 6 to the transport
container 8. The container 8 is positioned in alignment with the
transfer base 4. For example, the container 8 may be placed on a
trailer or truck bed for transport. The hydraulic leveling jacks 22
are adapted for independent adjustment to align the transfer base 4
with the container 8. An automated positioning system can be
utilized to automatically adjust the transfer base 4 for optimal
alignment.
[0028] With the transfer base 4 and the container properly aligned,
the container packer 6 starts from a retracted position (FIG. 1)
and is pushed rearwardly by the transfer base piston and cylinder
unit 30 to an extended position (FIG. 2). The container packer door
44 is raised hydraulically via the piston-and-cylinder units 48,
thus opening the back opening 35 for discharge of the bulk material
10. Applying hydraulic power to the piston-and-cylinder unit 56
extends it and pushes the push blade assembly 50 rearwardly through
the container packer interior 48. The blade 54 pushes the bulk
material 10 through the back opening 35 and out of the container
packer 6 and into the transport container 8. Depending upon the
nature of the bulk material 10, it may be compacted by the push
blade assembly 50 in the transport container 8. Simultaneously with
discharging the contents 10 of the container packer 6, the
hydraulic system can open the hydraulic lines to the transfer base
piston-and-cylinder unit 30, allowing it to retract as the contents
are pushed out of the container packer interior 46. The transfer
base piston-and-cylinder unit 30 can also be powered to
hydraulically extract the container packer 6 by collapsing to its
retracted position (FIG. 1). Upon full extraction of the container
packer 6, the transport container 8 can be closed and removed for
transport.
[0029] It will be appreciated that various steps of the procedure
described above, and additional steps, can be automated with a
programmable microprocessor. For example, leveling the transfer
base 4, inserting the container packer 6 and operating the push
blade assembly 50 can all be automated. Moreover, hydraulic
controls utilizing a multi-position valve(s) can be provided for an
operator to control the functions of the system 2. Such a valve(s)
can also be automated.
[0030] It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or
aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the
invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other
embodiments and aspects.
* * * * *